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Chickenstock Live Lineup Announced

SALISBURY — Several major music stars and bands, including a couple of Grammy winners, will headline Chickenstock Live 2011, a major concert event scheduled for Arthur W. Perdue Stadium next fall for the benefit of the United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore.

United Way officials on Tuesday announced the line-up for the Chickenstock Live 2011, which will include Dionne Warwick, Kenny Loggins, Creedence Clearwater Revisited, America and the Marshall Tucker Band. The concert is set for Sept. 24 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

“I am delighted to be performing at Chickenstock Live and I know it will help a lot of people through the United Way,” said five-time Grammy winner Warwick.

Tickets for Chickenstock Live, which go on sale today, Friday, March 18, will contribute to funding the continued success of the United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore, a non-profit organization that touches the lives of many in Worcester, Wicomico, Somerset and Dorchester counties.

“We’re going to have a lot of fun with this and help a lot of people,” said Loggins, an award-winning singer and songwriter.

Utility Plans To Build Transmission Line

BISHOPVILLE — In order to enhance electric service reliability on the Lower Shore of Maryland and in southern Delaware, Delmarva Power last week announced plans to build a new, high-voltage transmission line between Bishopville and Millsboro.

The 138,000-volt line will be built on roughly 12 miles of an existing right-of-way between the two towns. Construction is scheduled to begin in Delaware in November 2011 and in Maryland in February 2012. Completion is targeted for May 2012.

“Engineering studies indicate that the new line will help avoid extended power outages for many customers in Sussex and Worcester counties should there be a major problem with the current transmission network that links Salisbury and Ocean City in Maryland and Bethany Beach in Delaware,” said Delmarva Power Vice President John Allen. “This project represents another stop in Delmarva Powers’ commitment to provide safe and reliable electric service to our customers.”

UMES President Stepping Down

PRINCESS ANNE — Dr. Thelma B. Thompson announced this week she will retire as president of the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore in August.

Thompson announced Wednesday she is retiring effective Aug. 15, ending a nine-year tenure as president of Maryland’s lone 1890 land-grant university. Thompson came to UMES in the summer of 2002 from Norfolk State University, where she had been that institution’s top academic policymaker, and she immediately became a visible and forceful voice for change and unprecedented growth.

At the time she arrived, UMES was declared a low-performing institution by the Maryland Higher Education Commission. Nine years later, UMES is thriving under Thompson’s watch.

“I’ve reached a point in my career here at UMES where I am comfortably saying that I have accomplished what I set out to do,” she said on Wednesday. “The time is right for me to move on to the next stage of my life professionally and personally.”

Only four degree programs met rigorous standards for instruction in their respective disciplines when Thompson arrived at UMES. However, Thompson made the pursuit of accreditation a priority and today, 25 of the school’s academic programs have earned the coveted endorsement. Her work at UMES has not gone unnoticed.

“As president of UMES, Dr. Thompson focused relentlessly on excellence,” said University System of Maryland Chancellor William E. Kirwin this week. “Under her guidance, the university introduced new and unique programs that have widened opportunities for students and enhanced the region’s and the state’s growth and economic development.”

Assateague Seeks Students

ASSATEAGUE — The National Park Service is currently seeking six energetic students between the ages of 15 and 18 to work with the Youth Conservation Corps at Assateague Island National Seashore this summer.

The students will work at the Maryland end of Assateague on a dune stabilization project that will help protect visitor-use facilities and infrastructure. Students will also have the opportunity to work with and learn about other aspects of park management.

“This is a great way to get acquainted with a land management agency, meet new people and give back to the community while acquiring new skills, work ethics and being paid at the same time,” said Superintendent Trish Kicklighter. “An opportunity similar to this was how I began my career with the National Park Service.”

Work on the project will begin June 20 and continue through Aug. 26. Those hired will be paid $7.25 per hour, the current minimum wage. Applications may be picked up at the National Seashore Headquarters. Completed applications must be returned by 3 p.m. on April 11.